Pranav Pammi

International Student Experience Coordinator

“I arrived at Warwick alone and thousands of miles from home. What I found was a community that opened up the world."

“I’m originally from Chennai, a busy coastal city in India, although my family’s roots are in a small village of about 500 people.

I’m a first-generation learner, the first person in my family to earn degrees and build a professional career. Education was always encouraged, even though nobody in my family had gone beyond school before me.

I came to Warwick in 2022, aged 22, carrying four suitcases and not much else besides excitement, nerves and a dream but it almost didn’t happen. I’d already accepted offers from other Universities when Warwick got back to me later than expected. The move to the UK was a huge step. It was only the second country I’d ever visited and the first time I’d lived away from my parents. I suddenly found myself on the other side of the world, figuring everything out on my own.

I arrived on campus at around 2am after long immigration queues and flight delays. I'd also missed the university's bus transfer because of it, but a space was held for me on the next one. There was nobody around when I arrived and it was a challenge trying to find my accommodation. When I finally saw campus in daylight, it was even more beautiful than I'd imagined from months of YouTube videos and campus maps.

On that first morning, I didn’t know where to buy food. Thankfully, one of my flatmates shared some cereal and milk. It doesn’t sound like much now, but on that first day it was a lifesaver, It was my first meal in over thirteen hours. I'd also run out of water but didn't realise you could drink the tap water.

Another challenge was cooking. Before moving here, the only thing I could make confidently was scrambled eggs. For the first few months, I video called my mum for cooking instructions. Luckily, I had amazing flatmates from Mauritius, Mexico, China, India and Nepal. We often cooked together and shared meals from our different cultures. Although I remember my German friend inviting me over for a sushi-making workshop, of all things! Looking back, those evenings were some of the best moments of my time at Warwick. They became my home away from home, and those friendships have lasted well beyond university, we're all still in touch.

After completing my Master's in International Business at WBS, I joined the University as an International Student Experience Coordinator. It felt like a natural next step because I could support students through similar experiences. My role sits in project and change management, working with stakeholders from frontline staff to senior leadership.

One project I’m particularly proud of is leading the International Orientation Course. Working alongside student ambassadors and professional services staff, we built a resource covering everything from arriving in the UK to academic expectations and making the most of life at Warwick. It’s designed to answer the questions I wish I’d had answered when I first arrived. The work we’ve been doing has contributed to Warwick being named Institution of the Year at the UKCISA #WeAreInternational Awards.

When I look back, Warwick changed me in ways I never expected. Before coming here, I was quite introverted. I could have stayed within my comfort zone and socialised only with people from my own background. Instead, I’ve made friends from all over the world. Those friendships inspired me to travel and I’ve now visited 13 countries. Meeting people from different cultures inspired me to learn about their lives, perspectives and food.

I often say that in India I lived in a bubble. Warwick helped me step outside it and taught me to be confident, take chances and see the world differently. But what stayed with me wasn't the degree itself. It was the people. Classmates, colleagues and people I’ve met through sport and socially from around the world. That's the real beauty of Warwick. It's not just where I earned a degree. It's where the world got a lot bigger for me”